Ch. 6

The Copper Isles

They landed in the middle of a road which ran approximately east-west. On both sides were rich tropical jungles. To the south was level ground, or as level as jungle can be. To the north were mountains, which were higher and steeper to the north-east. They looked around. "So, where do we go from here?" asked Kiba. "East?"

"I suppose so." answered Shikamaru. As they turned and began walking, he noticed an immense Ginkgo tree with branches overhanging the road. Naruto was leading the group, and as he neared the tree, Shikamaru cried, "Stop!"

"What?" Naruto stopped.

"That tree… don't walk under it, those branches make a great ambushing place."

As soon as he said this, a black creature dropped from the branch to land a few feet ahead of them, exactly where Naruto would have walked under it. Naruto jumped back, almost running into Lee, who caught him. "What's that?!" The blonde ninja cried.

'That' was a lizard, around six feet long, with a tail twice that length curling over its back. It was black, with sharp silver claws and, when it opened its mouth, long, curved silver fangs. It flicked its tongue out and waited. Akamaru walked forward and started barking at it. It blinked its nictitating membranes and replied with odd chittering and chirping noises, as well as a few whistles. Akamaru turned around and barked at Kiba. "Oh? Is that right? That's good then. Nice job, Akamaru."

"What did he say?" asked Naruto.

"This lizard is here to lead us to the One who was Promised. Except he calls her the Lady."

"Yosh! Lead the way, Lizard-san!"

The lizard nodded, and then leaped into the ginkgo tree and looked back, waiting for them to follow. As they leapt into the trees to follow him, he continued on, jumping from branch to branch, gradually speeding up until they were having trouble keeping up with him. He slowed down a bit, until they were all at a comfortable cruising speed, then he turned and began heading up the mountains. The way grew swiftly steeper and rockier.

"We're not going to go all the way up the mountains are we?" asked Naruto.

"I hope not," replied Shikamaru, "The air's getting thinner."

Indeed they were all panting for want of air now, except the lizard, which slowed down to accommodate them. He turned again, this time back east, so that they were traveling on a more level path. They leapt from rock to rock and, about an hour later, came upon a mountain pass that looked as though it had never been used by people before. Once through the pass, the way was gradually downhill. The lizard paused for a while to let them catch their breaths. "It is a pity you cannot talk, Lizard-san." said Lee to the lizard, "Then we would know where we were going."

"Oh, but I can."

They just stared at him for a second. Then Lee said, "If you can talk, why have you not before? It would have been easier."

"Easier for you, perhaps, but I find it a bit difficult. My mouth, tongue, and lips are not as mobile as yours, so it takes a great deal of effort for me to speak human. Besides which the majority of humans are not supposed to know that I can speak."

"Oh."

"However, now that you know I can talk, I shall continue to do so, so as to reduce confusion. In the company of others though, I will not, so as to retain the illusion that I am a mere beast."

"You talk funny." said Naruto, "All big words and stuff."

"I am of the opinion that if I must talk, I will do so correctly."

"Uh, okay… what's your name, by the way?"

"My true name you could not pronounce. You may call me Onyx."

"I get it, because you're black like onyx." said Kiba.

"That's part of it, yes. Now then, let us continue on into the valley. Take care not to leave tracks."

They went onward, until they reached a clearing with a large boulder in the center. The stone was overgrown with moss and ivy on the sides, but the top was clear, and large enough for them all to stand on. When they were all assembled on the stone, Onyx raised himself up onto his hind legs and let out a long, low whistle. Abruptly, the rock disappeared, and they fell into a chamber below.

"AAAGH!" yelled Naruto.

"Aren't you a bit late? We've already landed." said Neji.

Naruto ignored him. "Where are we? And how did you do that Onyx-san?"

"It's a tunnel that was set up a long time ago as an escape route. Only the Lord or Lady, or those they personally specify, can open it. The rock is a type of solid illusion magic that only the Raka know. I was given permission by the Lady when she came to Tanair Castle." Onyx whistled, and the stone reappeared, vines and all. "We'll follow this tunnel the rest of the way into the castle; then I'll take you to meet the Lady."

They followed him through the tunnels, which moved in a straight line towards the northeast. When they emerged they were behind a building on the grounds of a large castle. "This way." Onyx led them up through the castle, carefully avoiding any people so that they went undetected. At last they came to a door. Onyx rose up on his hind legs and scratched gently at the door.

"Come in." a mild voice said.

They opened the door and entered. It was a study of sorts, with a desk and chair, windows for light, and bookshelves. Sitting behind the desk was a woman of about twenty. She had skin the color of coffee well lightened with cream, and large, dark eyes. She wore a plain, fawn-colored gown over a linen shift, and other than being beautiful, didn't look much like a high-born lady. Neji stepped forward and bowed to her. The others followed suit, except that Lee had to pull Naruto down before he realized what they were doing. "Lady, we have come to fulfill the prophecy."

She smiled tiredly, "I'm very glad you have all arrived, would you mind introducing yourselves?"

"Of course. I am Hyuuga Neji, one of the 'white-eyed ones', this is my cousin, Hyuuga Hinata, the other 'white-eyed one.' And these are my comrades, Inuzuka Kiba, the 'wild one' and Akamaru, Rock Lee, the 'strong one', Nara Shikamaru, the 'clever one', and Uzumaki Naruto, the 'fox'."

"Thank you, Neji. Now let me introduce myself. I am Dovasaraiyu Balitang, but you can just call me Lady Dove. My mother was the last of the old Raka nobility in a direct line with the throne; my father was a nephew of the late Luarin King. Hence, I'm the 'queen with two crowns'." She smiled, "So all the players are here. Good, what do you know about the situation so far?"

This time Shikamaru spoke, "Not much really, just that we have to fulfill the prophecy. We don't even know why there is a prophecy. Or who the Raka and Luarin you were talking about are."

Dove nodded. "Then I'll start by giving you a brief history of the Isles, so you'll know where we stand."

"Three hundred years ago the Copper Isles were ruled by the Raka, a proud, wild, copper-or-brown-skinned race. The Raka waged war after bloody war, and no Raka Queen survived the throne for more than a few years. They were always assassinated by their rival clans. This was not surprising. After all, the god of the isles, Kyprioth, was a notorious trickster. Unluckily, so caught up was Kyprioth in his tricks that he failed to notice the approach of danger. Mithros and the Goddess, his brother and sister from the north, came and deposed him from his rule. While still a god, he had no jurisdiction over the Isles themselves, only over parts of the surrounding sea. While he fought them, the Raka, weakened by constant war, fell to the onslaught of the Luarin, the northern peoples. In an effort to quench any chance of rebellion, the Luarin slew all of the Raka nobility they could find who were related to the previous queen. The lesser Raka nobility were left alive, but their lands were reduced to a pittance, and they were forced to submit to the Luarin ruling class. The common Raka were less lucky; they were enslaved. Most Luarin houses have at least one Raka slave now, and the greater houses have many. The number of free Raka is small, but because some of the Luarin commoners married Raka, there are many half- or quarter-Raka. The oppression of the Raka has been going on for nearly 300 years now, and it has gotten worse, not better. The Luarin royal family is known for cruelty, and every now and then they sprout a mad one. Now we are beginning a quiet, subtle rebellion, to take back the isles and place a Raka queen, instead of a Luarin king, on the throne."

"So our job is to help you carry out this rebellion, and overthrow the Luarin ruling class." Shikamaru confirmed, once Dove was done with the tale.

"Right, but it's a subtle rebellion. The Luarin cannot find out about it, or about you."

"That means no showing off, Naruto, Kiba." Shikamaru added. Naruto just hmphed, while Kiba smirked.

"Since you are strangers here, you'll need a reason to be here, and it can't be the real reason you came."

"A cover, so no one suspects us of being the prophesied ones."

"Exactly. That means you'll need jobs."

"What? We're just kids! Why do we need jobs?" asked Naruto.

"Because in this world, everyone works. Even children have duties. So I'll have to think of jobs that will suit you, as well as move toward our goal. Let me think." She thought for a bit, and then smiled. "I know! Follow me."

They followed her out of the study and down the stairs. This time there was no need to avoid people's notice. They reached the edge of the castle grounds, near the wall. There they saw an old woman. "Well, well! What have we here?" She was short and wiry, with short, springy grey hair like sheep's wool and cocoa-colored skin.

Lady Dove replied, "Hello, Eda! I've a new assistant goatherd for you! Kiba, Akamaru, this is Eda Bell, she takes care of all the herd animals of Tanair castle. Eda, this is Kiba, and this little fellow is Akamaru. They'll be helping you from now on."

"Why am I a goatherd?" Kiba was incredulous, that sounded so boring, not really his kind of thing.

"I think Akamaru will make a good herd-dog, don't you? Besides," she leaned towards him, "It'll give you a good excuse to go outside the gates and explore."

Kiba grinned, that made sense.

Eda Bell looked him up and down. "We'll also be having staff practice, my boy. A staff is good for scaring off some of the local nasties. And don't think you can dump me on my rump because I look like somebody's grandmother. Some grandchildren take more raising than others, and I provide it." She grinned, showing very white teeth. Kiba gulped, and Naruto agreed, Eda Bell looked tough.

"I'll leave you to it then, Eda. I need to get the rest of these younglings to their jobs."

"Good-day to you, Lady Dove."

They continued on, Lady Dove speaking to any of the people they met, asking after their families, answering questions, and explaining that "these children were the new help."

Eventually they reached a small building with a large, smoking chimney. As they approached it, they heard loud banging noises. Lady Dove opened the door and a wave of heat washed over them. Inside was a medium-sized forge with orange flames dancing in it. A tall, well-muscled Luarin man drew a thin, cherry-red iron rod out of the coals, and tapped a groove in the side; then, setting it endwise in a hole on the anvil, he jerked it sharply sideways, snapping it off at the groove. He then tapped the small piece left in the hole with a hammer, giving it a flat head. After tipping the nail into a bucket of water, where it hissed and steamed, he turned to them. "Ah, Lady Dove, it's good to see you again! What can I do for you?"

"I've an assistant for you, Fandarel. Lee, this is Mastersmith Fandarel, all of the tools, nails, hinges, and metalwork of any kind in Tanair is made by him. Fandarel, this is Lee, I'm sure he'd be happy to help you out."

"But, Lady Dove-sama, I do not know anything about smithing." said Lee. "I do not mind working, but I do not want to ruin any of your work, Fandarel-san."

The Mastermith grinned. "You needn't worry about that. I always kept some extra in case I ever got an apprentice. Besides, you won't be doing any forging for a while. First, you'll have to learn how to use a bellows to keep the forge at an even heat. Here." He threw an apron and a pair of heavy glows at Lee, who caught them. "Put those on and let's begin."

The others left as Lee put on the gloves. They went a few buildings further and saw a young Raka man of about twenty-three, working at a bench. He looked up and grinned as he saw them approach. "Hey there, beautiful Lady. I see you got a few chicks following you, Mother Hen."

"You are a rogue, Nawat. These 'chicks' are the new help, and one of them is to assist you."

"Oh? Is it the little cutie there? I could use a pretty face to cheer me up."

Hinata hid behind Neji, blushing with embarrassment.

"It is not; it is the cutie's cousin, Neji. Neji, this is Nawat, the fletcher. He makes all the arrows for our armory. Nawat, this is Neji; he'll be your assistant, and I don't want you flirting with Miss Hinata, you're nearly twice her age."

"I wouldn't, Oh Lovely One, but I can't flirt with you, because you're the Lady, and I'm just a humble fletcher."

"As if that's stopped you before. Good luck, Neji, fletching takes a good eye and a steady hand. And this rogue will flirt with every passing female."

"Goodbye, pretty ladies!" Nawat waved after them as they left.

They went on, and soon arrived at a door in the castle wall, as they opened it, delicious smells rolled over them, and Naruto began drooling. "Oooh! The kitchen, I want to work here, Lady Dove-ne-chan!"

"Lucky you then, since this is where I'm assigning you."

"Yes! I get to work in the kitchen!"

"Who gets to work in the kitchen? I don't remember asking for help, Lady." They looked over to see an ample Raka woman in an apron. She stood there, one eyebrow raised, tossing and catching a knife in one hand.

"Chenaol, you did so ask me for more help! You're constantly saying you need more workers in here."

"So I do, but a wet-behind-the-ears Luarin brat is not my idea of 'help'."

"I'm not wet-behind-the-ears! I dried them off myself!"

"Um, Naruto-kun, I don't think that's what she means…" said Hinata.

"Huh?"

"Don't argue, Chenaol." commanded Lady Dove. "I'm assigning him to help you, and he will work. If you don't trust him with food, make him a drudge. But I think he'll do better than you think."

Chenaol sniffed. "Fine, but if he ruins supper, don't blame me."

"I won't."

They went back up to the study, leaving a nervous Naruto behind them.

"So, what are our jobs, Lady Dove?" asked Shikamaru. "We're right back where we started."

"Hinata will be my Lady-in-waiting. That way she can always be near me and be useful."

"I see, like a hidden bodyguard."

"Exactly, you don't mind, do you, Hinata?"

"Oh, no Lady Dove-sama! I think that it will be a good job for me… but are you sure I'll be good at this?" Hinata seemed hesitant.

"Of course I'm sure! I'll teach you anything you need to know that you don't already."

She turned to Shikamaru. "I'm sorry, Shikamaru, but you'll have the most difficult and tedious job of all; you're going to be my clerk."

"Feh, so troublesome…" He sighed, but then smiled a bit, "…but that's a good idea."

"Eh? What do you mean, Shikamaru-kun?" asked Hinata.

"As Lady Dove's clerk, I read all of her mail before she does, and I see all of the reports and requests and news she gets even before she does. That means that I'll know everything I'll need to make plans and set up strategies. For the 'Clever One' it's the perfect job."

"Oh, I see! Just like being a goatherd is the perfect job for the 'Wild One' Kiba-kun, because he can explore."

"Exactly. Now that we all have jobs, we just need to settle into our roles and figure out how to do this rebellion."

Notes: Not much really happens in this chapter, sadly, even though I said there would be. Mostly it's just a setup for the really long arc that it's starting. Basically, this is the longest mission that'll ever happen. It'll take a whole seven chapters, if not more. Luckily, at least five of those chapters will be really good, action/adventure types, versus the talking/traveling type that I do way too much of. At least the last filler chapter was funny, this one's just blah.

Notes: Fandarel and Eda Bell are from different books, but Chenaol and Nawat are from Trickster's Queen.